Monday, June 10, 2013

Planes: The Movie

“When you combine imagination with passion,

the unbelievable becomes a reality.”

Coming Soon...

To a Theater Near You!

"The Best Family Movie of 2013"

Dane Cook

My life is a perfect mix of Aviation, Family, and Entertainment. Not
only have I recently been writing novels and studying film, but I see on average 4 movies a month. I have six grandchildren (number seven
coming soon) and have been flying for 35 years. Family and Aviation are my life, with a wind shift toward the
entertainment industry. So you can imagine the excitement I felt when I
learned that Disney created a movie that connects all my worlds, and invited me to be one of the first to view it.

Last week I had the great honor of visiting the DisneyToon Studios for the screening of the Disney movie Planes. I also met the talented individuals who created this fantastic movie, and learned how they made it—no easy task. But a passion of love. Four years in the making and research that took them around the world from Fargo to India and beyond, Oshkosh to the Reno Air Races... and everywhere in between. They left no details flapping in the wind.

Gabriel Iglesias

What makes this movie so good?

In addition to extensive research…

The creators filled the screen with passion!

Cedric the Entertainer

Anyone who has ever flown a plane will connect with the characters in
this movie. Granted they are animated ... and airplanes. But when they take to the sky you are right there with them. You feel their passion for flight, as they carry you back to the good ole days.
And for those who have not flown, this movie will transport your heart
and soul into the sky ... where dreams are made. How could this movie be anything but
inspirational when the entire team loves aviation, and they put their hearts and souls into making it!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Klay Hall, the director grew up with a Navy dad and said, "I'm passionate about everything aviation." When he spoke of his movie, the smile never faded and the stories flew. I think he said something about having fairy dust on himself, and never wanted to wake up.

The screenplay author, Jeffery M. Howard, is an aviation buff, too. He was born on Hamilton Air Force Base, CA. Touched by jets from birth. I suspect both these gentlemen might have aviation fuel in their blood.

I’m not sure if I met one person who did not love airplanes, and felt a connection to the sky and this project.

Roger Craig Smith

Planes is also the most aviation technically correct movie I have seen
in a long time—if ever. How did Disney to do it right?

They consulted an
International 747-400 Airline Captain to be an advisor. Sean has been
flying since he was 16-years-old, and has over 40 years of experience,
including F16 and F4 fighter jets. We're keeping his identity secret to keep his full-time job in tact. But a great guy flying one of my favorite planes.

Jason McKinley, a pioneer in the world of aviation and flight animation sat on the team as their flight supervisor. He played a key role in designing sets to fit the flying scenes, and believes that this is his best work in animation that he's accomplished to date. And that speaks volumes with his success.

Carlos Alazraqui

The talent of the artists Art Hernandez, Thomas Leavitt, and Ryan
Carlson speak for itself in their artwork. Dan Abraham’s work as the
Head of Story… well, what can I say? These are some of the most
talented artists around. Their drawings and the sets are fabulous.

They even taught us how to draw Dusty.

The Disney Plane team created a world based on reality, with an aviation theme. They pulled the architecture from around the globe, and embedded it with aviation surprises. This is one movie you will watch many times and appreciate the million little details painted in plane sight, behind the scenes.

One of the nicest things about the movie is that there are no scary
parts for the little ones. Five of my grandchildren are three and under,
and sometimes the shows, even cartoons, can be a bit frightening for the
little guys. And for the big guys… you will be too busy laughing.

John Cleese

You do not need a child to enjoy this film. The humor trickled
throughout will keep you grinning, and thoroughly entertained.

The movie Planes is uplifting, and
inspirational. You find yourself routing for the planes with the
children. There is an underlying theme that leaves you hopeful, with a lesson we all want our children to learn. There is nothing you cannot do, if follow your heart and dreams.

Priyanka Chopra

They strategically selected voices for the planes. Nothing was random. Can you say Goose and Iceman? Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards are Bravo and Echo. All characters fit the planes' personalities, and the countries of origin. Did I tell you this movie connects the world?

Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards

The DisneyToon Team has created the best family movie that I have ever
seen. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone... young and old. So
all you pilots out there, if you don’t have children, or grandchildren,
and are intimidated to go alone—borrow a kid. You won't be
disappointed.

For everyone else... you do not need to be a pilot to love it.

It's Disney!

Planes is a movie for the entire family.

Brad Garrett

OH... And the Video Games are Awesome!

(Nintendo and Wii)

I had the chance to play and the kids will have a blast.

Please leave a comment and Thank the Film Makers of Planes, and DisneyToon Studio, for their hard work and dedication to entertaining the world. And for allowing me to share this experience with you. They are breathing life back into the world of aviation. August 9th cannot get here soon enough.

44 comments:

I'm not going to lie... I am so excited to see this movie. I'm completely jealous that you went to the early screening, so cool!

As a newly minted pilot, this movie will be special for me I'm sure. Going back to re-live things of my childhood like aviation museums and movies (like Top Gun) will have a whole new meaning to me, seeing it as a pilot. This is something I'm excited for!

What I'm most excited for, like you said, is the fact that the producers are "breathing live back into the world of aviation." There are so few kids getting into aviation these days. If this movie gets even a few people to discover a passion from an early age, it was well worth it!

Thanks for posting this Karlene! You got me excited to see this again,-Swayne Martin http://martinsaviation.blogspot.com/

Swayne thank you for the great comment. Yes... you will love this movie. And, make sure you tell me which plane you identify with. You will love it for sure. And will be a different experience now that you too are a pilot.

Another great report, Karlene. There is no doubt this movie is going to be a hit, and from the trailers I have seen, it is clear the producers and animators did a thorough job and did not make this into a laugher for the aviation community. You can expect me to be front and center on 2 Aug at AirVenture for the premiere of this movie.

I too was able to see an early screening of Planes. Some parts were not completely finished so that was interesting to experience. I was so excited to see it and was not disappointed. This past week the family and I went to see another movie and there was a preview of Planes. I was the only one in the theatre who cheered and threw my arms up in the air, they all probably think I'm nuts but I can't wait to see it again!!! My kids who are 17 and 19 are excited to see it as well, so another Disney movie we can share as a family.

Theresa, you can be nuts all you want! That's funny. Yes... I think they might have a couple little things... but they were as close to finished as they will be. So glad you got to see a preview too! Yes...another Disney movie. I'll be seeing it many times, myself with all my little ones. Thanks so much for the comment.

I was excited when I first heard this movie was coming (some 6 months prior), but your review Karlene has gotten me even more excited, I can't wait to see it. There aren't that many aviation flicks that come along, but it's awesome to have one, where the whole family can enjoy it.Thank you for sharing your experience.

Yes... this is something for everyone! We've all been excited too. So my kids and grandkids were jealous that I got to see it. Thank you so much for the comment, and looking forward to your thoughts after you see it too!

If there is anyone I have ever met in my fifty years of flying and proclaiming my deep passion for aviation, it would be Karlene Pettit. She is not only a great Mother, Airline Captain, Novelist, and a wonderful public speaker, she does so much for young people and promoting aviation. I admire her and think anyone or any organization would be fortunate to have her endorse their aviation efforts!

My young son loved Disney's 'Cars', so when he saw the trailer for 'Planes', there was no stopping him. With a Mum and Dad that are pilots, we resolved to BOTH take him to see the movie as soon as it hits Australian shores. Parenting can be fun! Cheers, Owen.

Owen, parenting can be awesome. But just wait until you are a grandparent. You'll all have a great time. I wonder if this movie will hit all continents simultaneously. Hope it gets to you soon. Thanks for your comment!

Oh... I forgot to mention, they do not have pretend airplane noises... they have the real thing! And so glad you are going to attend. You'll have fun! Take all your friends. Or... on a layover take your crew. More the merrier. Thanks so much for your comment!

I can't wait to see this movie the animation looks outstanding as I would expect from Disney. I love the casting Of Val Kilmer and Anthony Edwards, Adults who watch this with their children/grand children will instantly connect with their characters.Looking forward to this screening in New Zealand.

When I saw the initial trailer for this movie I thought to myself, "this is the young version of 'Top Gun'" When I saw Val Kilmer's name, it brought both "Top Gun" and May 16, 1986 right back to me all over again.

I will make it a point to see this movie as it seems that a lot of films which have aviation topics or anything related to aviation fail to use bona fide technical advisors. To the credit of this film, a cartoon movie even, real commercial aviation experts are being used and real reseources were pulled into this production.

Most of all, I am very happy to hear that you had the fantastic opportunity to preview this film. I hope that this opportunity opens many doors for you in the future.

This is a fantastic post and I will be sure to forward this to both mom and my nephew for sure!

Jeremy, Thank you so much for sending this to your mom and nephew. They will love it. And I had to smile at your comment.... Takes Disney to be more accurate on a animation, than most aviation films. Speaks volumes for them. I never realized all that went into a film such as this... but the results were well worth their effort.

When I first saw the previews, I knew this was going to be my Wynnie's first theatre movie, and she'll barely be two when it comes out.

But I CANNOT wait to see this movie, and I can't wait to tell Wynnie (over and over) that it was the first movie she saw in theatre - hopefully I'll get to tell her after each of her checkrides as she passes them! :)

Andrew this is awesome! My grandson, in Austin, will be 2 on July 20th, and this is going to be his first movie too. I'm going to try to be down there for that one too. Send pictures of her first movie! And let me know what you all think. Thank you so much for your comment!!

This is a great post Karlene! Today I'm going to Sweden to shoot a short video that Disney will air in Scandinavia when Planes premiers. I am so excited! The short video will consist of fighter jets, history about aviation, a C172 and a DC-10 simulator, to mention some ;)

Even thought I might not be in the target age for this movie, I certainly look forward to watch it. Disney is truly something special :)

Oh... Cecilie, you are the target age. This is for the entire family. And they could not have picked a better person. Send me the youtube when it's out! And... do you know if August 9 is the same date for Europe?

And this is where my little cousins come in handy. I may not have children but there is still some kid in me and I'm in my mid twenties. I'll admit I have the movie CARS in my truck right now and I enjoyed that movie so I'm sure I'll have no problem with PLANES lol. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Thank you so much Justin!!! Yes... we all have a bit of kid in us. I stand at the door and hand out wings to everyone. Smiles and those big kids are excited. Normally... 200 plus big kids on my plane. Enjoy the movie!!! Thank you for the comment.